Yankee

Hi Veteran What a lovely old example of the order, an absolute thrill to see such one and your hollow crown is exquisite in all details . Normally most prior 1860 are not marked and finding one by a certain jeweler is awesome. Thanks for posting Sincerely Brian

Hello Gentlemen Here is an interesting example of St.Anne It has been suggested that it could have belonged to an officer of the order itself however I can't find anything written on this design. Any clues??? Sincerely Brian

Hi Gentlemen It would seem that there are two jewelers that used AK, however 40 some years apart. Any idea last year for the St.Stanislaus with wing tips touching one another. Unfortunately I don't have access to my example for a quick scan, hopefully in a few weeks I can get to it. Perhaps those flat arm examples belonged to the earlier AK marking of Antonovich Kovalskij if he made the that order & the later bulbous arms came from Kiebel. Sincerely Brian

Hi Enzo What an awesome badge , never have seen an orginal before with 37 issued most likely never will again. Thanks for posting the reverse, certainly they are night & day. The workmanship is absolutely superb on par with those wonderful Imperial Russian badges, perhaps the designer was Russian. Sincerely Brian

Hi Ed What a marvel to see such complete documented groups, no idea the Soviets could handout so much thought that was only reseved for the Generals. Enjoyed it Sincerely Brian

Did not notice that , thanks for pointing that out on the stamp. I suppose the bodyguard standard in front was done on purpose that Hitler's elite had been crushed. Interesting that you can buy these flags from the museum for 35 thousand... Sincerely Brian

Hi Matteti Thanks for that site , interesting to learn that Imperial & Nazi were all thrown together , and certainly the populace watching the throwing of the flags had not even noticed nor cared. More fascinating is that they were looted from a German Museum in Berlin, thought these battle flags were taken away from the enemy at the front. Like in the old Napoleonic days when a regiment would have their flag captured by an enemy force in close combat. Sincerely Yankee

A stamp that tells a story. I suppose these flags are treasures to those who collect. They were destroyed in the parade & wonder just what types they are.

Hi George Thanks for informing me that the only AK marks belong to Albert Keibel. As I understand Albert Keibel stoped being in business around 1900 and Eduard became the court jeweler to the Czar. Are the Keibel pieces that have a lighter red transparent enamel on the arms and are almost flat an earlier style of Albert Keibel then the ones found with a darker enamel on a more bulb type arm? Sincerely Brian

Hello Gentlemen There are two jewelers with the same initial Alexander Kordess and Albert Keibel. They both produced the St.Stanislaus widely. How does one tell the difference who it was made by, since they both have the same initial that was marked on the reverse? Any info would be of great help. Sincerely Yankee

Hi Wild Card Thanks for your encouraging comment on the knight. Not too long ago I noticed two different type of crowns between the arms, strange not to notice this before I acquired the Earnst August. Looked up a picture of another example and that too had the same crown design. The only significance I can come up with is that both crowns represent the Kingdoms of Great Britain & Hannover. Interesting what you had to say about the Crown Prince traveling through Germany, Emperor Franz Joseph was not fond of his Hannover relations/guests & had to put a happy face on entertaining them..Sad how Hannover was absorbed even more sad for the Duke but most of the other countries that sided with Austria just received a slap on the wrist go figure. Sincerely Yankee

Hi Gentlemen Always thought this was a German made piece from 1866 but now I'm not so sure. Any thoughts are welcomed if a Busch or Rothe make. Thanks to WEBR55 showing both pictures of the Duke wearing two different mounting styles. It seems Hannover favored the trifold ribbon perhaps due to her close ties with Austria.

Hi Wild Card A St. George with a garter ribbon could never go unnoticed unless one too many beers . A friend of mine some time ago had shown me a Garter star w/Black Eagle band. Orginally thought this practice of adding foreign bands was only between the Prussian stars and English. Besides Hannover & Prussia did any other German Kingdoms have bands on their star? The copies of the Garter, Eagles & Crown bands are they being placed on orginal stars? If so then only an expert can tell I suppose by how the bands are fastened to the star itself. All the best. Sincerely Yankee

Hi Wild Card Many thanks for pointing out the fact that the Earnst August knight 1st class was awarded in exile. Since no solid crown examples have been recorded then it would be safe to say that they exist only in hollow crowns. I suspect it would be very very difficult to tell the Busch & Rothe apart since the jeweler quality at that time was excellent for both firms. The early Rothe badges were not marked as I assume the Busch made examples also were not. I think it was just Rothe making early material, not sure when the nephew joined the firm. When I get to my own computer I'll send out a scan of a knight 1 class. What a fantastic St.george star w/Garter . Never seen one before only viewed the Black Eagle with Garter. Sincerely Yankee

Hi Rod In regards to the Franz Joseph Order, have always seen a locket on the reverse of the badges. Never had one with something inside if so that would be a surprise. Also would like to know what was the orginal purpose of the locket.. Sincerely Brian

Hi Alex Many thanks for informing me, best to pass on this piece being offered to me. I seldom encounter this order and regret to hear that this particular order is being copied enormously. Sincerely Brian

Hi Wild Card I just realized both Dukes were given the Danish Royal Wedding Decoration , interesting that the little Prince at the time had accompanynied his father suppose back then it was all about protocol. It seems they are both gold ( Royalty ) any idea how Christian lX was related to the Dukes? Sincerely Yankee

Hello Gentlemen Since we are on the topic. I am curious on this example. The green leaves are a different shade not sure if that is a good sign or bad, any comments are most welcome. Thank you.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year Sincerely Yankee

Hi Wild Card What an absolutely fantastic row of orders, one seldom finds an Ernst August with hollow crowns even more so on a bar. Any chance to see the rest of the bar? As I understand these crowns were only issued before the Duchy was absorbed into Prussia. Sincerely Yankee

Hi Ulsterman Certainly more on the side of good news. Just to know that the rolls are safely stored away is a stroke of good fortune. Any possibility that you can get the address from your source. Any idea who to contact in finding out where the rolls would be for the Serbia Zealous Service 1877-78 War, as I understand 376 were issued, simply cross -reference & have a name. Thanks. Sincerely Yankee

yes yes the order can be easily had & the prices reflect that. I suspect there are more fakes then orginals out there. Remember Anhalt was very small & to see so many badges on the market makes many collectors hesitant. For myself I'd purchase one only in a group or a documented one & preferably cased. Sincerely Brian

Hi Carol I Yes a simple design but beautifully crafted. For prices they range from 200 euros for a knight ll class & up. Commander grade perhaps 500 euro & up. Note there are gold examples & they are rare. Sincerely Yankee

Be very careful Carol I on this order, fakes have been coming out of Europe since the 1950's. I'm not even sure if there is a way to tell an orginal from a good quality copy, if there is I'd like to know. The only was to be sure to have an orginal Albert the Bear is locating one on a bar that looks not to have been tampered with. Good luck Sincerely Yankee